Ormond subdivision's new plans stir controversy

Published: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 6:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 9:02 p.m.

ORMOND BEACH— City commissioners will consider on Tuesday giving final approval to a request to expand proposed plans for a subdivision in the western part of Ormond Beach.

Some residents, however, have vowed to speak out against the new plans.

The controversial subdivision in question is Marshside Village, which was first approved in 2006 for 68 homes on 80-foot-wide lots. The new plans call for 163 homes on 60-foot-wide lots on a section of land at the northwest corner of the intersection at Tymber Creek Road and Airport Road.

Not only were the extra homes needed to make the project economically feasible, but amenities and details like split-rail fencing and a community pool would not be available under the old plans, Edward Speno Jr., president of White Falcon Land Development, said at a previous commission meeting.

But Ron Hoopper, who lives in a nearby subdivision, said he's not concerned about the extra amenities.

"We don't care about the split-rail fencing or the pool," he said. "It's about the traffic."

Residents have argued the large number of homes would create too much traffic near Pathways Elementary School off of Airport Road. To alleviate concerns, Speno and his team have proposed a road leading from the subdivision onto Tymber Creek Road away from school traffic.

In a recent meeting with Speno and city planning officials, Hoopper said he asked the developer if he would compromise on the plans.

Since commissioners gave initial approval to the development plans, Hoopper said he has collected more than 300 signatures and expects many people to attend Tuesday's meeting. More than 100 have signed an online petition and another one is circulating in another neighborhood, Hoopper said.

Tuesday's meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the commission chambers at City Hall, 22 S. Beach St.

<p>ORMOND BEACH&mdash; City commissioners will consider on Tuesday giving final approval to a request to expand proposed plans for a subdivision in the western part of Ormond Beach. </p><p>Some residents, however, have vowed to speak out against the new plans. </p><p>The controversial subdivision in question is Marshside Village, which was first approved in 2006 for 68 homes on 80-foot-wide lots. The new plans call for 163 homes on 60-foot-wide lots on a section of land at the northwest corner of the intersection at Tymber Creek Road and Airport Road. </p><p>Not only were the extra homes needed to make the project economically feasible, but amenities and details like split-rail fencing and a community pool would not be available under the old plans, Edward Speno Jr., president of White Falcon Land Development, said at a previous commission meeting. </p><p>But Ron Hoopper, who lives in a nearby subdivision, said he's not concerned about the extra amenities. </p><p>"We don't care about the split-rail fencing or the pool," he said. "It's about the traffic." </p><p>Residents have argued the large number of homes would create too much traffic near Pathways Elementary School off of Airport Road. To alleviate concerns, Speno and his team have proposed a road leading from the subdivision onto Tymber Creek Road away from school traffic. </p><p>In a recent meeting with Speno and city planning officials, Hoopper said he asked the developer if he would compromise on the plans. </p><p>"He didn't even answer me," Hoopper said. "It's 60 foot (wide lots) and that's what he's sticking to." </p><p>Since commissioners gave initial approval to the development plans, Hoopper said he has collected more than 300 signatures and expects many people to attend Tuesday's meeting. More than 100 have signed an online petition and another one is circulating in another neighborhood, Hoopper said. </p><p>Tuesday's meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the commission chambers at City Hall, 22 S. Beach St.</p>